Volunteer Role Description for Location Main contact Volunteer

Volunteer Role Description for: Location: Main contact: Volunteer Canine Assistant Basildon Rehoming Centre Karina Grimwade Volunteer Coordinator Purpose of the role: Working to Dogs Trust’s standards and Health and Safety guidelines, support and assist the Rehoming Centre staff to ensure our facilities are cleaned, maintained and in good working order for our dogs, as well as help provide essential exercise, enrichment and care for the dogs in our care. Key tasks: • Assist with cleaning of kennels/kitchens/service areas as instructed • Provide exercise to dogs as allocated by centre staff • Work in our Laundry areas to ensure that all bedding, towels, toys etc are washed and stored ready for use. • Keep on top of supplies in the kennel kitchens and top up when needed. • Provide enrichment to dogs to ensure that their time with us is as happy and fulfilled as possible. • Other kennel-related tasks as requested by Dogs Trust staff • Monitor each dog’s health and welfare, reporting any concerns to centre staff • Adhere to centre protocols for collection of dogs, walking routes and use of exercise compounds • Use centre approved equipment e. g. leads, harnesses, muzzles, etc Application process: Following the closing date we will shortlist the applications and invite selected candidates to attend a selection event being held at the Rehoming Centre on the 12 th September at 5: 30 pm. Those successful following this selection event will be required to attend an induction and training event being held on the 23 rd September at 5: 30 pm. All applicants must be available on both of these dates. Skills/experience required: • Passionate about dogs, dog welfare, and rehoming dogs • Experience of handling dogs is a bonus, although full training will be given. • Experience with cleaning/mucking out of animals would be advantageous, (although full training will be provided), and an awareness of the level of work this will entail • Excellent face to face communication skills with the ability to listen effectively, and follow instructions in a busy fast paced environment. • Good level of fitness to carry out the role quickly and efficiently. • Confident and approachable manner • Ability to work comfortably in a close knit team or alone Time commitment: Monday – Sunday 8 am-11 am (we have limited availability for the weekend shifts) You must be able to commit to at least 1 shift per week, although we do welcome you to commit to more if you are able to. The more shifts you do the better experience you will get, and the more you will get to know the dogs in our care. Please indicate on your application form which day(s) you are applying for and how many days a week you would like to commit to. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 4 th September

Volunteer Role Description for: What you can expect from Dogs Trust as a volunteer: • A staff member main contact who will manage your tasks, answer your questions and help you with the volunteer rota • A buddy (either another volunteer or a member of staff) who will help you through your first few weeks at the centre • Volunteer uniform • Induction and ongoing role-specific training, guidance and support • An opportunity to feed back to your main contact about your experience volunteering with Dogs Trust • Recognition of the role that you are carrying out in support of Dogs Trust through our Volunteer Merits Scheme • Opportunities to try new things and learn new skills, where appropriate Volunteer Canine Assistant A message from the CEO Without our dedicated volunteers we couldn’t hope to achieve as much as we do for the dogs in our care; the support from our volunteers is absolutely vital to our work. The work that volunteers help us with may not always be easy, but I know that volunteering with Dogs Trust is a rewarding experience. Adrian Burder Chief Executive What we expect from our volunteers: • Support Dogs Trust in its work and carry out your volunteer role to the best of your ability • Complete a Rehoming Centre volunteer induction session, this will be held at your centre and complete any other additional training as required • Make new people welcome and work well within the team • Recognise the importance of our members, sponsors and donors in supporting the work of Dogs Trust • Wear your Dogs Trust volunteer uniform at the centre and ensure you are presentable at all times • Support Dogs Trust procedures and standards by: • Being aware of your own health and safety and of that of others • Respecting others and treating people equally irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation (Equality Act 2010) • Ensure all activities undertaken in the name of Dogs Trust achieve the charitable aims and objectives and do not bring the organisation into disrepute • Be accountable and accept constructive comments • Maintain confidentiality regarding Dogs Trust activity, the dogs in our care and our team • Meet time commitments and standards agreed, and give reasonable notice when unavailable, so other arrangements can be made • Be a positive representative of Dogs Trust, ensuring you are polite and friendly to all visitors to the centre Dogs Trust Basildon Rehoming Centre Nevendon Road Wickford Essex SS 12 0 FH E: volunteer. essex@dogstrust. org. uk T: 01268 535 050 @: www. dogstrust. org. uk Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. Through our network of 21 rehoming centres across the UK and one in Dublin we care for 16, 000 abandoned and unwanted dogs a year. No healthy dog is ever destroyed.